Oliver Cowdery

His Life, Character and Testimony

Source: Preston Nibley, comp., The Witnesses of the Book of
Mormon (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1958), pp. 33-41 taken
with revisions from Jenson, Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:246-51.

Oliver Cowdery, the "second elder of the Church," and one
of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, was born in the
town of Wells, Rutland County, Vermont, on October 3, 1806. His
parents were farming people of the neighborhood. When Oliver
was three years of age, he removed with his father's family to
Poultney, Vermont, and here he grew up, helping to assist his
father on the farm, until 1825 when the family moved again -
this time to the western part of the state of New York.

For a time after his arrival in New York, Oliver was
engaged as a clerk in a store, but in the winter of 1828 and
1829 he accepted the position of teacher in a small rural school
in Manchester township. Among the families who sent children to
his school was that of Joseph Smith, Sr., a farmer of the
neighborhood.

It was the custom of that day for the village schoolteacher
to board with the families who sent children to his school.
Oliver Cowdery thus became acquainted with the members of the
Smith family, and for a time he made his residence with them.
From them, in their quiet family circle, he heard the wonderful
story of the visit of the angel Moroni to their son Joseph;
the story of the finding of the sacred record, and of the
efforts of the young Prophet to translate the same so that it
might be given to the world.

Oliver Cowdery became deeply interested and determined to
visit Joseph, who, at the time, made his home in Harmony,
Pennsylvania.

It was on April 5, 1829, that Oliver arrived in Harmony,
having accompanied Joseph's younger brother Samuel on the
journey. Two days later, Oliver began to write for Joseph while
the latter translated the ancient characters written upon the
plates.

As the interesting work progressed, Oliver became
exceedingly anxious to have the gift of translation conferred
upon himself. Joseph inquired of the Lord and received two
enlightening revelations in regard to the matter, and pertaining
to the duties of both himself and Oliver (See D&C sections 8 and
9).

After about five weeks of continuous labor, Joseph and
Oliver came upon certain passages in the plates which pertained
to the subject of baptism. Realizing that they themselves had
not been baptized, they decided to seek information from the
Lord in prayer concerning this important subject. It was on May
15, 1829, that they knelt in prayer, on the banks of the
Susquehanna River, near Joseph's home.

While thus engaged, a messenger from heaven descended in a
cloud of light and, laying his hands upon them he ordained them,
saying: "Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I
confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the
ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of
baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall
never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do
offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness."

The heavenly messenger said that the Aaronic Priesthood
did not have power to confer the Holy Ghost by the laying on of
hands. He told them that his name was John, the same that is
called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and that he acted
under the direction of Peter, James and John, who held the keys
of the priesthood of Melchizedek, which priesthood he said would
in due time be conferred upon them, when Joseph should be the
first elder of the Church and Oliver the second elder. The
heavenly messenger also instructed them to baptize each other,
and directed that Joseph should baptize Oliver, and that Oliver
should baptize Joseph. The brethren complied immediately with
this request and the ordinance was performed in the nearby
Susquehanna River. Joseph then laid his hands on Oliver and
ordained him to the Aaronic Priesthood. Oliver followed with
the same procedure and ordained Joseph to the same priesthood.

The exact date when the Melchizedek Priesthood was
conferred by Peter, James and John is not known, but historians
are generally agreed that this important event took place
shortly after the bestowal of the Aaronic Priesthood.

Due to persecution which developed in the neighborhood of
Harmony, Joseph felt that he and Oliver would be forced to move
away. Oliver thereupon wrote to David Whitmer of Fayette
township, New York, with the request that he and Joseph be
permitted to finish their important work at his father's home.
Arrangements were satisfactorily concluded and about the first
of June, 1829, David Whitmer arrived at Harmony with a two-horse
wagon to convey Joseph, Emma, Oliver and the sacred record to
Fayette.

Arriving at the Whitmer home, the work of translation was
immediately resumed, and in about four weeks' time the great and
important work was concluded. From David Whitmer we have the
information that the translation was finished "in the latter
part of June 1829."

The vision of the Three Witnesses, of which Oliver
Cowdery was permitted to be a member, occurred a few days after
the translation was completed, in a grove near the Whitmer home.

After arrangements were made by Joseph Smith and Martin
Harris to have the manuscript of the Book of Mormon published,
Oliver Cowdery was assigned the task of making a printer's copy
and looking after the details during publication. This work was
performed in a satisfactory manner.

On April 6, 1830, the Church was organized in Fayette, New
York, and Oliver Cowdery was one of the six original members.
It was on that occasion that he was ordained by Joseph Smith to
be the second elder of the Church. On April 11th [1830] Oliver
preached the first public discourse given by any member of the
Church. Thereafter he was very active as a missionary of the
Church during the entire summer and fall of 1830, assisting the
Prophet in every way possible.

In October 1830, Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt, Peter
Whitmer, Jr., and Ziba Peterson were called by revelation to
undertake a mission to the Lamanites residing on the western
border of the United States.

Experiencing great hardships, and traveling mostly on foot,
the four brethren reached Independence, Missouri, early in the
year 1831. Here they began their labors and here Oliver Cowdery
and two of his companions remained until the arrival of the
Prophet Joseph and several companions in July following, when
Jackson County was designated by revelation as the gathering
place of the Saints and a site was selected and dedicated on
which a temple was to be built.

In the month of August, Oliver Cowdery returned to Kirtland
with the Prophet and several companions, and the day following
his arrival he was ordained a high priest by Sidney Rigdon.

In November 1831, Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer were sent
to Independence with the revelations, which were to be published
there by William W. Phelps. Shortly after Oliver's arrival, on
January 22, 1832, he was married to Elizabeth Ann Whitmer. The
marriage took place on Elizabeth's seventeenth birthday; Oliver
at the time was twenty-five years of age.

During the Prophet's second visit to Missouri in the summer
of 1832, Oliver was appointed one of the high priests to preside
over the Saints in the gathering place.

When the serious trouble between the old settlers of
Jackson County and the Saints broke out in July 1833, Oliver was
sent as a messenger to the First Presidency at Kirtland to
inform them of the disaster. Following his arrival he was asked
to take charge of a publication known as the "Evening and
Morning Star." At the dedication of the press, which was held
on December 18, 1833, Oliver Cowdery was present, and the same
day the Prophet recorded the following blessing in his history:
"Blessed of the Lord is Brother Oliver; nevertheless there are
two evils in him that he must need forsake, or he cannot
altogether forsake the buffetings of the adversary. If he
forsakes these evils he shall be forgiven, and he shall be made
like unto the bow which the Lord hath set in the heavens; he
shall be a sign and an ensign to the nations. Behold, he is
blessed of the Lord for his constancy and steadfastness in the
work of the Lord; wherefore he shall be blessed in his
generation, and they shall never be cut off, and he shall be
helped out of many troubles; and if he keeps the commandments
and hearkens unto the counsel of the Lord, his rest shall be
glorious."

At the organization of the first high council of the Church
in Kirtland, on February 17, 1834, Oliver Cowdery was selected
to be a member. When the Prophet, with Zion's Camp, started for
Missouri in May following, Sidney Rigdon and Oliver were left in
charge of the Church at Kirtland.

After the Prophet's return, on the evening of November 29,
1834, he and Oliver Cowdery united in prayer, and made a
covenant that of the means that came to them they would give "a
tenth" to be bestowed upon the poor of the Church, "or as he
shall command." This was the first introduction of the tithing
principle among the Latter-day Saints.

In February, 1835, the Three Witnesses of the Book of
Mormon, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris, chose
twelve men from the elders of the Church, to be members of the
Quorum of Twelve Apostles. In blessing them and giving them
instructions, Oliver Cowdery took a prominent part. He was also
one of the trustees of the school in Kirtland, where he studied
Hebrew, in connection with the Prophet and other elders. On
September 14, 1835, he was appointed to act as Church Recorder.
He had previously held the same office from April 1830 to June
1831.

Elder Cowdery was present at the dedication of the Kirtland
Temple in March 1836, and took a prominent part in the
proceedings. On April 3, 1836, he was with the Prophet in the
Kirtland Temple when they beheld the great vision of Moses,
Elias, and Elijah; and the Savior of mankind appeared before
them. In September of the following year, 1837, Oliver Cowdery
was appointed to be the assistant counselor to the president of
the Church.

Despite his great privileges and experiences, Oliver
Cowdery practically rejected the leadership of the Prophet
during the latter part of 1837 and early in 1838. He opposed
several important measures which Joseph Smith advocated.

As a result, the high council at Far West, Missouri, where
Oliver was residing at the time, took action against him on
April 11, 1838, and the following day excommunicated him from
the Church.

For a period of ten years Oliver Cowdery was not connected
with the organization he had so materially assisted in founding.
During the years 1838 to 1848 he practiced law in Ohio and
Wisconsin.

In October 1848, Oliver Cowdery, with his wife and
daughter, arrived at Council Bluffs, Iowa, the gathering place
of the Saints who were preparing to make the long journey across
the plains to Utah. Here he requested of Orson Hyde, who was
presiding over that branch at the time, the privilege of again
being baptized into the Church. At a special conference of the
members held on October 21st [1848], the request was granted and
shortly afterwards Oliver Cowdery was baptized by Orson Hyde.

In the spring of 1849, Oliver Cowdery expressed the desire
to visit with his wife's family in Richmond, Missouri, before
undertaking the long journey across the plains. Accordingly,
the trip was made to that place, and there, as a guest of his
father-in-law, Peter Whitmer, in whose home near Waterloo, New
York, the Church had been organized, he spent several pleasant
months. As the result of a severe cold, contracted sometime
during 1849, he became infected with the dreaded disease known
then as "consumption," which brought about his death on March 3,
1850. Oliver Cowdery, at the time, was a few months past his
43rd birthday. Of his death, David Whitmer, who was present,
relates:

"Oliver died the happiest man I ever saw. After shaking
hands with the family and kissing his wife and daughter, he
said: `Now I lay me down for the last time: I am going to my
Savior'; and he died immediately with a smile on his face."

CHARACTER REFERENCES

Source: John Whitmer, "Address," M&A 2 (March 1836)

I [John Whitmer] enjoy the privilege of resigning it
[editorship of Messenger and Advocate] into so good and able
hands as President O. [Oliver] Cowdery whose character and
standing in society need no commendation from me where he is
personally known; for he is known to be a man of piety, of
candor, of truth, of integrity, of feeling for the welfare of
the human family, and in short, he is a man of God.

Near the end of the Mormon Bible is added the testimony of
Oliver Cowdery as to the "Golden Plates."

He was one of the brightest minds amongst the leaders of
the Mormons, and the history of the order would have been a
better one had his counsel and advice prevailed.

Mr. Cowdery was born in the state of Vermont, on the 3rd
day of October, 1804 [1806]. After he had acquired a good
common school education, he applied himself with great industry
to the study of the dead languages and became very proficient in
the Greek and Chaldee. He came to Ohio when he was a young man
and entered the law office of Judge Bissel, a very distinguished
lawyer in Painesville, Lake County, as a student, and was
admitted to practice after having read the requisite length of
time and passed an examination. His unfortunate association
with the Mormons blasted the high hopes and bright prospects of
an otherwise promising career, and planted a thousand thorns
along the wayside of a life that was as pure and undefiled as
that of the best of men.

Cowdery had more to do with the production of the Mormon
Bible than its history had ever given him credit for. He was
the best scholar among the leaders. While others advocated the
doctrine of polygamy, Cowdery opposed it, not only on moral
grounds, but also, and principally because it was contrary to
the great principles of christianity, and above all, because it
was opposed not only to the great demands of civilization but
the spirit of the free institutions of our country. This
opposition to polygamy brought Cowdery into conflict with the
other leaders, and especially with Joe Smith; and while Cowdery
gathered around himself the better and most intellectual element
among the Mormons, Joe Smith became the leader of the coarser
forces, with whom his great force of character soon made him
very popular. The conflict came and Cowdery had to flee for his
life, leaving his wife and two children behind him.

Mrs. Cowdery's maiden name was Whitmer, and a sister of one
of the Whitmer's who figured as a leader. She was a beautiful
woman, whose quiet nature, sweet temper and kind disposition won
her friends wherever she was known. Mr. Cowdery came back to
Kirtland. In the spring of 1840, on the 12th day of May, he
addressed a large democratic gathering in the street, between
the German Reformed Church of Tiffin and the present residence
of Hez. Graff. He was then on a tour of exploration for a
location to pursue his profession as a lawyer, having entirely
abandoned and broken away from all his connections with the
Mormons. In the fall of the same year he moved with his family
to Tiffin and opened a law office on Market Street.

Mr. Cowdery was an able lawyer and a great advocate. His
manners were easy and gentlemanly; he was polite, dignified, yet
courteous. He had an open countenance, high forehead, dark
brown eyes, Roman nose, clenched lips and prominent lower jaw.
He shaved smooth and was neat and cleanly in his person. He was
of light stature, about five feet, five inches high, and had a
loose, easy walk. With all his kind and friendly disposition,
there was a certain degree of sadness that seemed to pervade his
whole being. His association with others was marked by the
great amount of information his conversation conveyed and the
beauty of his musical voice. His addresses to the court and
jury were characterized by a high order of oratory, with
brilliant and forensic force. He was modest and reserved, never
spoke ill of anyone, never complained.

He left Tiffin with his family for Elkhorn, in Wisconsin,
in 1847, where he remained but a short time, and then moved to
Missouri, where he died in 1848.

The writer [William Lang] read law with Mr. Cowdery in
Tiffin, and was intimately acquainted with him, from the time he
came here until he left, which afforded me every opportunity to
study and love his noble and true manhood.

[Joseph] Smith was killed while C [Oliver Cowdery] lived
here. I well remember the effect upon his countenance when he
read the news in my presence. He immediately took the paper
over to his house to read to his wife. On his return to the
office we had a long conversation on the subject, and I was
surprised to hear him speak with so much kindness of a man that
had so wronged him as Smith had. It elevated him greatly in my
already high esteem, and proved to me more than ever the
nobility of his nature. Cowdery never gave me a full history of
the troubles of the Mormons in Missouri and Illinois.

Now as to whether Cowdery ever openly denounced Mormonism
let me say this to you: no man ever knew better than he how to
keep one's own counsel. He would never allow any man to drag
him into a conversation on the subject. Cowdery was a democrat
and a most powerful advocate of the principles of the party on
the stump. For this he became the target of the Whig stumpers
and press, who denounced him as a Mormon and made free use of
Cowdery's certificate at the end of the Mormon Bible to crush
his influence. He suffered great abuse for this while he lived
here on that account. In the second year of his residence here
he and his family attached themselves to the Methodist
Protestant Church, where they held fellowship to the time they
left for Elkhorn.

In a letter to Mr. Gregg, dated at Tiffin, Ohio, August 3,
1882, Judge William Henry Gibson, an old acquaintance and friend
of Cowdery, says:

Referring, now, to yours of the 13th February, making
inquiries as to Oliver Cowdery, I [Judge William Henry Gibson]
beg to reply, though perhaps too late for your purpose. I think
that it is absolutely certain that Mr. Cowdery, after his
separation from the Mormons, never conversed on the subject with
his most intimate friends, and never by word or act, disclosed
anything relating to the conception, development or progress of
the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." He was an
able lawyer, a fine orator, a ready debater and led a blameless
life, while residing in this city. He united with the Methodist
Protestant Church, and was a consistent, active member.

I [G. J. Keen] was well acquainted with Oliver Cowdery who
formerly resided in this city, that sometime in the year 1840
Henry Cronise, Samuel Waggoner and myself, with other democrats
of this county, determined to establish a democratic newspaper
in this city to aid in the election of Martin Van Buren to the
Presidency, and we authorized Henry Cronise, Esq., to go East
and purchase a suitable press for that purpose. Mr. Cronise
went East, purchased a press and engaged Oliver Cowdery to edit
the paper. Mr. Cowdery arrived Tiffin (O.) some time before the
press arrived. Some time after Mr. Cowdery's arrival in Tiffin,
we became acquainted with his (Cowdery's) connection with
Mormonism.

We immediately called a meeting of our democratic friends,
and having the Book of Mormon with us, it was unanimously agreed
that Mr. Cowdery could not be permitted to edit said paper.

Mr. Cowdery opened a law office in Tiffin, and soon
effected a partnership with Joel W. Wilson.

In a few years Mr. Cowdery expressed a desire to associate
himself with a Methodist Protestant church of this city. . . .

At that time [upon his admission to the Methodist church]
he arose and addressed the audience present, admitted his error
and implored forgiveness, and said he was sorry and ashamed of
his connection with Mormonism.

He continued his membership while he resided in Tiffin, and
became superintendent of the Sabbath- school, and led an
exemplary life while he resided with us.

Source: Preston Nibley, comp., The Witnesses of the Book of
Mormon (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1958), pp. 33-41 taken
with revisions from Jenson, Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:246-51.

Source: Circuit Court Journal, 5 March 1850, Ray County, Missouri.

"On leave of the court the following resolutions were
submitted and unanimously adopted by the Court, the members of
the bar and officers of the court. And it is ordered by the
court that the same be spread at length upon the record. To
Wit: 1. Resolved, By the members of the bar and officers of
the court, that in the death of our friend and brother, Oliver
Cowdery, his profession has lost an accomplished member, and the
community a valuable and worthy citizen. 2nd. Resolved, That
we deeply sympathize with his afflicted widow and daughter in
this their heaviest bereavement and do offer them our most
sincere condolence. 3. Resolved, That in respect for our
deceased brother and friend we will wear the usual badge of
mourning for thirty days. 4. That the Clerk of this court
furnish the widow of our deceased friend and brother with a copy
of the foregoing resolutions.

"And hereupon it is further ordered that the court adjourn
at three o'clock P. M. today to attend the funeral of said
deceased."

. . . And it came to pass after much humility and
affliction of soul I obtained them again when [the] Lord
appeared unto a young man by the name of Oliver Cowdry [Cowdery]
and shewed unto him the plates in a vision and also the truth
of the work and what the Lord was about to do through me, his
unworthy servant; therefore he was desirous to come and write
for me and translate now my wife had written some for me to
translate and also my Brother Samuel H. Smith, but we had become
reduced in property and my wife's father was about to turn me
out of doors and I had not where to go and I cried unto the Lord
that he would provide for me to accomplish the work whereunto he
had commanded me. . .

TESTIMONIES OF OLIVER COWDERY

OLIVER COWDERY'S TESTIMONY AS SCRIBE

Source: Oliver Cowdery ltr to W. W. Phelps in M&A l (Oct 1834):14.

Near the time of the setting of the sun, Sabbath evening,
April 5th, 1829, my natural eyes, for the first time beheld this
brother. He then resided in Harmony, Susquehanna County,
Pennsylvania. On Monday the 6th, I assisted him in arranging
some business of a temporal nature, and on Tuesday the 7th,
commenced to write the Book of Mormon. These were days never to
be forgotten--to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the
inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of this
bosom! Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from
his mouth, as he # translated, with the Urim and Thummim, or, as
the Nephites would have said, "Interpreters," the history, or
record, called "The Book of Mormon."

STATEMENTS BY OLIVER COWDERY ON RESTORATION OF THE PRIESTHOODS

Source: Oliver Cowdery ltr to W. W. Phelps in M&A l (Oct 1834):15.

After writing the account given of the Savior's ministry to
the remnant of the seed of Jacob, upon this continent, . . . it
was as easily to be seen, that amid the great strife and noise
concerning religion, # none had authority from God to administer
the ordinances of the gospel. . . .and we only waited for the
commandment to be given, "Arise and be baptized."

This was not long desired before it was realized. . . .
After we had called upon him in a fervent manner, . . .the voice
of the Redeemer spake peace to us, while the veil was parted and
the angel of God came down clothed with glory, and delivered
the anxiously looked for message, and the keys of the gospel of
repentance!--What joy! what wonder! what amazement! . . . Then
his voice, though mild, pierced to the center, and his words, "I
am thy fellow servant," dispelled every fear. We listened--we
gazed--we admired! 'Twas the voice of the angel from
glory--'twas a message from the Most High! and as we heard we
rejoiced, while his love enkindled upon our souls, and we were
rapt in the vision of the Almighty! Where was room for doubt? No
where: uncertainty had fled, doubt had sunk, no more to rise,
while fiction and deception had fled forever!

What joy filled our hearts . . .when we received under
his hand the holy priesthood, as he said, "Upon you my fellow
servants, in the name of Messiah I confer this priesthood and
this authority, which shall remain upon earth, that the sons of
Levi may yet offer an offering unto the Lord in righteousness!"

[This statement by Oliver Cowdery was recorded under the
date 2 October 1835 in the patriarchal blessing book of Joseph
Smith, Sen., following one of the blessings. Oliver Cowdery
was at that time the recorder.] He [Joseph Smith] was
ministered unto by the angel, and by his direction he obtained
the records of the Nephites, and + translated by the gift and
power of God. He was ordained by the angel John, unto the
lesser or Aaronic priesthood, in company with myself, in the
town of Harmony, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, on Friday,
the 15th day of May, 1829; after which we repaired to the water,
even to the Susquehanna River, and were baptized; he first
administering unto me, and after, I to him. But before baptism
our souls were drawn out in mighty prayer, to know how we might
obtain the blessings of baptism and of the Holy Spirit
according to the order of God; and we diligently sought for the
right of the fathers, and the authority of the holy priesthood,
and the power to administer the same; for we = desired to be
followers of righteousness, and in the possession of greater
knowledge, even the knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of
God. Therefore we repaired to the woods, even as our father
Joseph said we should, that is, to the bush, and called upon the
name of the Lord, and he answered us out of the heavens. And
while we were in the heavenly vision, the angel came down and
bestowed upon us this priesthood; and then, as I have said, we
repaired to the water and were baptized. After this, we
received the high and holy priesthood; but an account of this
will be given elsewhere, or in another place.

I have been sensitive on this subject [his character], I
admit; but I ought to be so--you would be, under the
circumstances, had you stood in the presence of John, with our
departed Joseph, to receive the Lesser Priesthood--and in the
presence of Peter, to receive the Greater, and look down through
time, and witness the effects these two must produce.--you would
feel what you have never felt, were wicked men conspiring to
lessen the effects of your testimony on man, after you should
have gone to your long length rest.

REPORTS BY CRITICS OF OLIVER COWDERY'S TESTIMONY

Source: "The Golden Bible," Painesville Telegraph, 16 Nov 1830, p. 3.

The Golden Bible.--Some two or three years since, an
account was given in the papers, of a book purporting to contain
new revelations from Heaven, having been dug out of the ground,
in Manchester in Ontario County, New York. The book, it seems,
has made its appearance in this vicinity.--It contains about 500
octavo pages, which is said to be translated from Egyptian
Hieroglyphics, on metal plates, by one Smith, who was enabled to
read the characters by instruction from angels. About two weeks
since some persons came along here with the book, one of whom
pretends to have seen angels, and assisted in translating the
plates. He proclaims destruction upon the world within a few
years,--holds forth that the ordinances of the gospel, have not
been regularly administered since the days of the apostles, till
the said Smith and himself commenced the work--and many other
marvelous things too numerous to mention. In the neighboring
township of Kirtland, we understand that twenty or thirty have
been immersed into the new order of things; many of whom had
been previously baptized.--The name of the person here, who
pretends to have a divine mission, and to have seen and
conversed with angels, is Cowdrey [Cowdery]. We understand that
he is bound for the regions beyond the Mississippi, where he
contemplates founding a "City of Refuge" for his followers, and
converting the Indians, under his prophetic authority.

Those who are the friends and advocates of this wonderful
book [The Book of Mormon], state that Mr. Oliver Cowdry
[Cowdery] has his commission directly from the God of Heaven,
and that he has credentials, written and signed by the hand of
Jesus Christ, with whom he has personally conversed, and as
such, said Cowdry [Cowdery] claims that he and his associates
are the only persons on earth who are qualified to administer in
his name. By this authority, they proclaim to the world, that
all who do not believe their testimony, and be baptized by them
for the remission of sins, and come under the imposition of
their hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and stand in
readiness to go to some unknown region, where God will provide a
place of refuge for his people, called the "New Jerusalem," must
be forever miserable, let their life have been what it may. If
these things are true, God has certainly changed his order of
commission. When Jesus sent his disciples to preach, he gave
them power against all unclean spirits, to cast them out, to
heal all manner of diseases, and to raise the dead. But these
newly commissioned disciples have totally failed thus far in
their attempts to heal, and as far as can be ascertained, their
prophecies have also failed.

"Late in the fall a member of that society came to our
house to visit the Believers. His name was Oliver Cowdery. He
stated that he had been one who assisted in the translation of
the golden Bible, and had seen the angel, and also had been
commissioned by him to go out and bear testimony that God would
destroy this generation. By his request we gave liberty for him
to bear his testimony in our meetings . . . . He appeared meek
and mild."

The Mormonites in this country, as if weary of the dull
monotony of dreams and devotion, of vision and vexation - of
profitless prophecies, and talking in tongues have concluded to
turn their attention to political matters. A paper entitled The
Northern Times has made an appearance from their press in
Kirtland, bearing the name of O. Cowdery, one of their leaders
and preachers, as editor. The editor breaks forth with a flood
of words, filling seven columns under his editorial head --
pounces upon the dead carcass of the United States Bank with
Quixotic ferocity - talks about "WIGS" -- praised the President
-- and says, the nomination of Van Buren "we still add, would
meet our mind and receive our strong support." As the editor
[Oliver Cowdery] professes to have communion with the spirits
of the invisible world, and certifies that he had seen an angel,
and "hefted" the golden plates of the Prophet, he will be a
political anomaly, if not a dangerous opponent.

Source: "Extract of a letter to the Editor of the
Telegraph, dated Kirtland April 14, 1835," Painesville Telegraph, 17 April
1835.

Mr. Editor:--It may be a matter of some little curiosity to
the public to know that the band of Mormon fanatics, whose
headquarter is in this town, are now publishing a political
paper for the special benefit of the office seekers in this
county. Since Oct. last they have issued two whole papers, and
two extras, mostly filled with the lowest cant, and thread-bare
hobbies of the tory prints, culled from the Kitchen Cabinet
factory at Washington, down through every grade, to the brain of
the moonstruck editor himself. But who is the editor of this
wonderful print? His name is O. Cowdery, and may be found to a
certificate in the Mormon Bible, in which he says he had seen
and hefted the wonderful plates from which said bible was
manufactured. He has also seen angels, who disclosed to him
that the engraving upon the plates, which appeared to be of
ancient workmanship, were correctly translated by Joseph Smith,
Jun. He was the amanuensis of Smith, the impostor, as he says,
in preparing their book of absurdities for the press. At the
start of Mormonism he was dubbed an elder by Smith, and
subsequently a high priest, apostle, prophet, etc.

EXCOMMUNICATION OF OLIVER COWDERY

Source: HC 3:16-17.

Wednesday, April 11,[1838]--Elder Seymour Brunson preferred
the following charges against Oliver Cowdery, to the High
Council at Far West:

To the Bishop and Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, I prefer the following charges against
President Oliver Cowdery.

"First--For persecuting the brethren by urging on vexatious
law suits against them, and thus distressing the innocent.

"Second--For seeking to destroy the character of President
Joseph Smith, Jun., by falsely insinuating that he was guilty of
adultery.

"Third--For treating the Church with contempt by not
attending meetings.

"Fourth--For virtually denying the faith by declaring that
he would not be governed by any ecclesiastical authority or
revelations whatever, in his temporal affairs.

"Fifth--For selling his lands in Jackson county, contrary
to the revelations.

"Sixth--For writing and sending an insulting letter to
President Thomas B. Marsh, while the latter was on the High
Council, attending to the duties of his office as President of
the Council, and by insulting the High Council with the contents
of said letter.

"Seventh--For leaving his calling to which God had
appointed him by revelation, for the sake of filthy lucre, and
turning to the practice of law.

"Eighth--For disgracing the Church by being connected in
the bogus business, as common report says.

"Ninth--For dishonestly retaining notes after they had been
paid; and finally, for leaving and forsaking the cause of God,
and returning to the beggarly elements of the world, and
neglecting his high and holy calling, according to his
profession."

The Bishop and High Council assembled at the Bishop's
office, April 12, 1838. After the organization of the Council,
the above charges of the 11th instant were read, also a letter
from Oliver Cowdery, as will be found recorded in the Church
record of the city of Far West, Book A. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th,
8th, and 9th charges were sustained. The 4th and 5th charges
were rejected, and the 6th was withdrawn. Consequently he
(Oliver Cowdery) was considered no longer a member of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Also voted by the High
Council that Oliver Cowdery be no longer a committee to select
locations for the gathering of the Saints. . .

[Footnote, page 17] The following letter from Oliver
Cowdery respecting his difficulties at this time in the Church,
is copied from the Far West Record of the High Council, and is
an interesting document for several reasons: first, it shows
the spirit of Oliver Cowdery at that time, also his
misapprehensions of the policy of the authorities in the
government of the Church, for it is to be noted that the two
principal points covered in this letter, numbers four and five
of Elder Brunson's charges, were rejected by the Council as not
being proper to be considered, and the sixth charge also is
withdrawn, so that Oliver Cowdery was not disfellowshiped from
the Church on the points raised in his letter at all, but on the
first, second, third, seventh, eighth and ninth charges in Elder
Brunson's formal accusation, and since these charges were
sustained upon testimony of witnesses, as the minutes of the
High Council proceedings in the Far West Record clearly show, it
is to be believed that the Church had sufficient cause for
rejecting him.

Elder Cowdery's Letter

FAR WEST, Missouri, April 12, 1838.

DEAR SIR:--I received your note of the 9th inst., on the
day of its date, containing a copy of nine charges preferred
before yourself and Council against me, by Elder Seymour
Brunson. I could have wished that those charges might have been
deferred until after my interview with President Smith; but as
they are not, I must waive the anticipated pleasure with which I
had flattered myself of an understanding on those points which
are grounds of different opinions on some Church regulations,
and others which personally interest myself.

The fifth charge reads as follows: "For selling his lands
in Jackson County contrary to the revelations." So much of this
charge, "for selling his lands in Jackson County," I acknowledge
to be true, and believe that a large majority of this Church
have already spent their judgment on that act, and pronounced it
sufficient to warrant a disfellowship; and also that you have
concurred in its correctness, consequently, have no good reason
for supposing you would give any decision contrary.

Now, sir, the lands in our country are allodial in the
strictest construction of that term, and have not the least
shadow of feudal tenures attached to them, consequently, they
may be disposed of by deeds of conveyance without the consent or
even approbation of a superior.

The fourth charge is in the following words, "For virtually
denying the faith by declaring that he would not be governed by
any ecclesiastical authority nor revelation whatever in his
temporal affairs."

With regard to this, I think I am warranted in saying, the
judgment is also passed as on the matter of the fifth charge,
consequently, I have no disposition to contend with the Council;
this charge covers simply the doctrine of the fifth, and if I
were to be controlled by other than my own judgment, in a
compulsory manner, in my temporal interests, of course, could
not buy or sell without the consent of some real or supposed
authority. Whether that clause contains the precise words, I am
not certain--I think however they were these, "I will not be
influenced, governed, or controlled, in my temporal interests by
any ecclesiastical authority or pretended revelation whatever,
contrary to my own judgment." Such being still my opinion shall
only remark that the three great principles of English liberty,
as laid down in the books, are "the right of personal security,
the right of personal liberty, and the right of private
property." My venerable ancestor was among the little band, who
landed on the rocks of Plymouth in 1620--with him he brought
those maxims, and a body of those laws which were the result and
experience of many centuries, on the basis of which now stands
our great and happy government; and they are so interwoven in my
nature, have so long been inculcated into my mind by a liberal
and intelligent ancestry that I am wholly unwilling to exchange
them for anything less liberal, less benevolent, or less free.

The very principle of which I conceive to be couched in an
attempt to set up a kind of petty government, controlled and
dictated by ecclesiastical influence, in the midst of this
national and state government. You will, no doubt, say this is
not correct; but the bare notice of these charges, over which
you assume a right to decide, is, in my opinion, a direct
attempt to make the secular power subservient to Church
direction--to the correctness of which I cannot in conscience
subscribe--I believe that principle never did fail to produce
anarchy and confusion.

This attempt to control me in my temporal interests, I
conceive to be a disposition to take from me a portion of my
Constitutional privileges and inherent right--I only,
respectfully, ask leave, therefore, to withdraw from a society
assuming they have such right.

So far as relates to the other seven charges, I shall lay
them carefully away, and take such a course with regard to them,
as I may feel bound by my honor, to answer to my rising
posterity.

I beg you, sir, to take no view of the foregoing remarks,
other than my belief in the outward government of this Church.
I do not charge you, or any other person who differs with me on
these points, of not being sincere, but such difference does
exist, which I sincerely regret.

With considerations of the highest respect, I am, your
obedient servant,

The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph in an early day,
some points connected with the doctrine of celestial marriage.
He was told that it was to obey God's will that His ancient
servants had taken more wives than one; and he probably learned,
also, that His servants in those days would be commanded to
carry out this principle.

The Prophet Joseph, however, took no license from this. He
was content to await the pleasure and command of the Lord,
knowing that it was as sinful to enter upon the practice of a
principle like this before being commanded to do so, as it would
be to disobey it when required to carry it into effect.

Not so with Oliver Cowdery. He was eager to have another
wife. Contrary to the remonstrances of Joseph, and in utter
disregard of his warnings, he took a young woman and lived with
her as a wife, in addition to his legal wife.

Had Oliver Cowdery waited until the Lord commanded His
people to obey this principle, he could have taken this young
woman, had her sealed to him as his wife, and lived with her
without condemnation. But taking her as he did was a grievous
sin, and was doubtless the cause of his losing the Spirit of the
Lord, and of being cut off from the Church.

Source: Joseph F. Smith in JofD 20:29.

I [Joseph F. Smith] here declare that the principle of
plural marriage was not first revealed on the 12th day of July,
1843. It was written for the first time on that date, but it
had been revealed to the Prophet many years before that, perhaps
as early as 1832. About this time, or subsequently, Joseph, the
Prophet, intrusted this fact to Oliver Cowdery; he abused the
confidence imposed in him, and brought reproach upon himself,
and thereby upon the church by "running before he was sent," so
to speak, hence the publication, by O. Cowdery, about this time,
of an article on marriage, which was carefully worded, and
afterwards found its way into the Doctrine and Covenants without
authority. This article explains itself to those who understand
the facts, and is an indisputable evidence of the early
existence of the knowledge of the principle of patriarchal
marriage by the Prophet Joseph, and also by Oliver Cowdery.

After making preparations I [Thomas B. Marsh] started from
Far West [1838] and moved three miles out of town, ostensibly
for the purpose of settling, and soon moved off to Clay County,
and from thence to Richmond, Ray County, where I saw David, John
and Jacob Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery, who had all apostatized.

I enquired seriously of David if it was true that he had
seen the angel, according to his testimony as one of the
witnesses of the Book of Mormon. He replied as sure as there is
a God in heaven, he saw the angel according to his testimony
in that book. I asked him, if so, why he did not stand by
Joseph? He answered, in the days when Joseph received the Book
of Mormon, and brought it forth, he was a good man and filled
with the Holy Ghost, but he considered he had now fallen. I
interrogated Oliver Cowdery in the same manner, who answered
similarly.

Source: Brigham Young in JofD 2:257-58.

Do you not know others who had manifestations almost equal
to those Joseph had, but who have gone by the board? Martin
Harris declared, before God and angels, that he had seen
angels. Did he apostatize? Yes, though he says that the Book
of Mormon is true. Oliver Cowdery also left the Church, though
he never denied the Book of Mormon, not even in the wickedest
days he ever saw, and came back into the Church before he died.
A gentleman in Michigan said to him, when he was pleading law,
"Mr. Cowdery, I see your name attached to this book; if you
believe it to be true, why are you in Michigan?" The gentleman
read over the names of the witnesses, and said, "Mr. Cowdery, do
you believe this book?" "No, sir," replied Oliver Cowdery.
"That is very well, but your name is attached to it, and you say
that you saw an angel, and the plates from which this book is
said to be translated, and now you say that you do not believe
it. Which time was you right?" Mr. Cowdery replied, "There is
my name attached to that book, and what I have there said that I
saw, I know that I saw, and belief has nothing to do with it,
for knowledge has swallowed up the belief that I had in the
work, since I know it is true." He gave his testimony when he
was pleading law in Michigan. After he had left the Church he
still believed "Mormonism;" and so it is with hundreds and
thousands of others, and yet they do not live it.

Source: George Q. Cannon in JofD 22:254.

When I was a boy I heard it stated concerning Oliver
Cowdery, that after he left the Church he practiced law, and
upon one occasion, in a court in Ohio, the opposing counsel
thought he would say something that would overwhelm Oliver
Cowdery, and in reply to him in his argument he alluded to him
as the man that had testified and had written that he had beheld
an angel of God, and that angel had shown unto him the plates
from which the Book of Mormon was translated. He supposed, of
course, that it would cover him with confusion, because Oliver
Cowdery then made no profession of being a "Mormon," or a
Latter-day Saint; but instead of being affected by it in this
manner, he arose in the court, and in his reply stated that,
whatever his faults and weaknesses might be, the testimony which
he had written, and which he had given to the world, was
literally true.

Oliver Cowdery, who had just arrived from Wisconsin with
his family, on being invited, addressed the meeting. He bore
testimony in the most positive terms of the truth of the Book of
Mormon--the restoration of the priesthood to the earth, and
the mission of Joseph Smith as the Prophet of the last days; and
told the people if they wanted to follow the right path, to keep
the main channel of the stream--where the body of the Church
goes, there is the authority; and all these lo here's and lo
there's have no authority; but this people have the true and
holy priesthood; "for the angel said unto Joseph Smith, Jr., in
my hearing, that this priesthood shall remain on the earth unto
the end." His testimony produced quite a sensation among the
gentlemen present, who did not belong to the Church, and it was
gratefully received by all the Saints. Last evening (Oct. 30th)
President Hyde and myself spent the evening with Brother
Cowdery. He told us he had come to listen to our counsel and
would do as we told him. He had been cut off from the Church by
a council; had withdrawn himself from it; stayed away eleven
years; and now came back, not expecting to be a leader, but
wished to be a member and have part among us. He considered
that he ought to be baptized; and did not expect to return
without it. He said that Joseph Smith had fulfilled his mission
faithfully before God until death; he was determined to rise
with the Church, and if it went down he was willing to go down
with it. I saw him today, told him I was going to write you.
He sends his respects to you; he says, "Tell Brother Orson I am
advised by the brethren to remain here this winter, and assist
Brother Hyde in the printing office, and as soon as I get
settled I will write him a letter." I remain, as ever your
brother in the kingdom of patience.

(Signed) George A. Smith.

Source: Edward Stevenson, "The Three Witnesses to the Book
of Mormon," MS 48 (5 July 1886):420- 22.

STATEMENT OF EDWARD STEVENSON

I [Edward Stevenson] have often heard him [Oliver Cowdery]
bear a faithful testimony to the restoration of the Gospel by
the visitation of an angel, in whose presence he stood in
company with the Prophet Joseph Smith and David Whitmer. He
testified that he beheld the plates, the leaves being turned
over by the angel, whose voice he heard, and that they were
commanded as witnesses to bear a faithful testimony to the world
of the vision that they were favored to behold, and that the
translation from the plates of the Book of Mormon was accepted
of the Lord, and that it should go forth to the world, and no
power on earth should stop its progress. Although for a time
Oliver Cowdery absented himself from the body of the Church, I
never have known a time when he faltered or was recreant to the
trust so sacredly entrusted to him by an angel from heaven.

In Nov. 1831, the Lord gave a revelation to the Prophet
concerning Oliver Cowdery, and also appointing John Whitmer as
historian, to be assisted by Brother Oliver Cowdery. This John
Whitmer is one of the eight witnesses who was permitted to
behold the plates, and he kept the faith until 1837, after which
fellowship was withdrawn from him, he refusing to give up the
history he had kept, which was legally the property of the
Church. The history is still in existence, and transmitted to
his son John, now living near Richmond, Mo. Under the direction
of David Whitmer this history is held sacred at this time. I
will add here, in justice to John Whitmer, that up to his death
he was always true to his testimony as one of the eight
witnesses. A portion of the revelation spoken of reads as
follows: "Hearken unto me, saith the Lord, your God, for my
servant Oliver Cowdery's sake. It is not wisdom in me that he
should be entrusted with the commandments and the monies which
he shall carry unto the land of Zion, except one go with him who
will be true and faithful: wherefore I, the Lord, will that my
servant John Whitmer should go with my servant Oliver Cowdery,
and also that he shall continue in writing and making a history
of all the important things which he shall observe and know
concerning my Church."

Also in 1829, a revelation [D&C 6] was given to Oliver
Cowdery and Joseph Smith, an abstract of which reads: "A great
and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of
men. Behold, I am God, and give heed to my word, which is quick
and powerful, sharper than a two- edged sword, to the dividing
asunder of both joints and marrow: therefore give heed to my
words. . . .Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive;
if you will knock it shall be opened unto you." This revelation
was given about a year before the Church was organized, and
enjoins an extra injunction upon Brother Cowdery.

Again, in a revelation given to Joseph Smith, Jun. and
Oliver Cowdery in 1830 [D&C 24]: "Behold, thou wast called and
chosen to write the Book of Mormon and to my ministry. . . .And
thou shalt continue in calling upon God in my name, and writing
the things which shall be given thee by the Comforter. . . .and
they shall hear it, or I will send unto them a cursing instead
of a blessing.

To Oliver Cowdery and six Elders, Sept. 1830 [D&C 29]:
"Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the great I
AM. . . . Verily I say unto you, ye are chosen out of the world
to declare my gospel with the sound of rejoicing, as with the
voice of a trump . . . .for the hour is nigh, and that which is
spoken by my apostles must be fulfilled: for as they spoke so it
shall come to pass: . . . . Wherefore, I the Lord God will send
forth flies upon the face of the earth, which shall take hold of
the inhabitants thereof, and shall eat their flesh, and shall
cause maggots to come in upon them; and their tongues shall be
stayed that they shall not utter against me."

Many other revelations have been given with increased
responsibilities upon Oliver Cowdery, as well as to be a witness
to the Book of Mormon. I have taken great satisfaction under
his testimony as one of the three witnesses, and testify to the
world that he was inspired of God, and his testimony stands
unimpeached by any man on earth. About the year 1849 or 1850,
Oliver Cowdery called to see the Latter-day Saints in their camp
at Council Bluffs, Iowa, while en route to Utah from Illinois.
He became satisfied of the continued advance of the gospel, and
was rebaptized and publicly bore his testimony in the meeting of
the Latter-day Saints with expressed satisfaction. Soon after
this he went to Richmond, Ray Co., Mo., to visit David Whitmer,
where he subsequently died, and was buried alongside of father
and mother Whitmer. Thus two of the three witnesses have
returned to the fold and identified themselves with the true and
only Church and gospel of Jesus Christ, at that time under the
direction of President Brigham Young, and died in full faith and
hope of a glorious resurrection, and the reign of Christ a
thousand years upon this earth, when Jesus will reign as King of
kings.

In 1848, a yearning which Oliver Cowdery had for the
society of those with whom he had once been so familiar, caused
him to visit Kanesville, Iowa, where Orson Hyde, then president
of the Twelve Apostles, was residing, and make application for a
reunion with the Church, which was granted by his being baptized
and duly admitted into the Church by Elder Hyde officiating.

Soon after this, with the view of joining the Saints in
Salt Lake valley the next season, he, with his wife, desired
first to visit her brother, David Whitmer, then living in
Richmond, Missouri. For this purpose, in the month of January
(1849), they started on the journey by team, but were overtaken
by a severe snowstorm which compelled them to seek shelter,
which they obtained with the writer of this article, [Samuel W.
Richards] then temporarily residing in the upper part of that
state. Here they found it necessary to remain some length of
time on account of the great amount of snow which had fallen,
completely blockading the road, and for a time preventing travel
by teams.

This detention of nearly two weeks time was extremely
interesting, and made very enjoyable to both parties
participating in the social and intellectual feast so
unexpectedly provided.

I had but the fall before returned from my first mission to
the British Isles, and was in the spirit of inquiry as to all
matters of early history and experiences in the Church, and soon
found there was no reserve on the part of Oliver in answering my
many questions. In doing so his mind seemed as fresh in the
recollection of events, which occurred more than a score of
years before, as though they were but of yesterday.

Upon carefully inquiring as to his long absence from the
body of the Church, he stated that he had never met the Prophet
Joseph, after his expulsion from the Church, while he lived,
apparently feeling that the Prophet could, with equal propriety,
enquire after him, as for him to visit the Prophet, and as his
pride would seemingly not allow him to become a suppliant
without that, it was never made; while he felt quite sure that
had he ever met the Prophet there would have been no difficulty
in affecting a reconciliation, as a feeling of jealousy towards
him, on the part of his accusers, had entered largely into their
purpose of having him removed, which he thought Joseph must have
discovered after going to Missouri.

In what had now transpired with him he felt to acknowledge
the hand of God, in that he had been preserved; for if he had
been with the Church he would have undoubtedly been with Joseph
in his days of trial and shared a like fate with him; but being
spared, he now desired to go to the nations and bear a testimony
of this work which no other living man could bear; and he
decided to go to the presidency of the Church and offer his
services for that purpose.

This indeed seemed to be his only ambition, and he was now
going to visit his wife's brother, David Whitmer, and prepare to
go to the mountains and join the body of the Church the
following summer and unite with them. For some cause this was
not permitted, and he died in Missouri among relatives before
realizing the intent and purpose he had cherished of again
testifying of the great work and dispensation, which he had been
instrumental, with the Prophet, in opening up to the world.

To hear him describe, in his pleasant but earnest manner,
the personality of those heavenly messengers, with whom he and
the Prophet had so freely held converse, was enchanting to my
soul. Their heavenly appearance, clothed in robes of purity;
the influence of their presence, so lovely and serene; their
eyes, that seemed to penetrate to the very depths of the soul,
together with the color of the eyes that gazed upon them, were
all so beautifully related as to almost make one feel that they
were then present; and as I placed my hands upon his head where
these angels had placed theirs, a divine influence filled the
soul to that degree that one could truly feel to be in the
presence of something that was more than earthly . . .

Before taking his departure he wrote and left with the
writer of this, the following statement, which we believe to be
his last living testimony, though oft repeated, of the wonderful
manifestations which brought the authority of God to men on the
earth: [The following statement included in this article is in
the Samuel Whitney Richards Collection, Church Archives]

TESTIMONY

"While darkness covered the earth and gross darkness the
people; long after the authority to administer in holy things
had been taken away, the Lord opened the heavens and sent forth
His word for the salvation of Israel. In fulfillment of the
sacred scriptures, the everlasting gospel was proclaimed by the
mighty angel (Moroni) who, clothed with the authority of his
mission, gave glory to God in the highest. This # gospel is the
`stone taken from the mountain without hands.' John the
Baptist, holding the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood; Peter,
James and John, holding the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood,
have also ministered for those who shall be heirs of salvation,
and with these administrations, ordained men to the same
priesthoods. These priesthoods, with their authority, are now,
and must continue to be, in the body of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. Blessed is the elder who has
received the same, and thrice blessed and holy is he who shall
endure to the end.

"Accept assurances, dear brother, of the unfeigned prayer
of him who, in connection with Joseph the Seer, was blessed with
the above ministrations, and who earnestly and devoutly hopes to
meet you in the celestial glory." Oliver Cowdery. To Samuel W.
Richards, January 13, 1849.

Thus, by the foregoing testimony which he bears, as his
last written, and virtually his dying testimony, is secured the
promise made to him by the Lord in the early part of his career,
that "the gates of hell should not prevail against him; and he
should be lifted up at the last day."

OLIVER'S LAST TESTIMONY

Source: Andrew Jenson, Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:251.

Elder Phineas H. Young, who was present at his [Oliver
Cowdery's] death [at Richmond, Missouri, March 3, 1850] says,
"His last moments were spent in bearing testimony of the truth
of the Gospel revealed through Joseph Smith, and the power of
the holy priesthood which he had received through his
administrations." [See MS 21 (1859):545.]

Oliver Cowdery's half-sister, Lucy P. Young, widow of
Phineas H. Young, relates that Oliver Cowdery just before
breathing his last asked his attendants to raise him up in bed
that he might talk to the family and his friends who were
present. He then told them to live according to the teachings
contained in the Book of Mormon, and promised them if they would
do this that they would meet him in heaven. He then said, "Lay
me down and let me fall asleep." A few moments later he died,
without a struggle.

David Whitmer testified to Apostles Orson Pratt and Joseph
F. Smith in 1878, as follows: "Oliver died the happiest man I
ever saw. After shaking hands with the family and kissing his
wife and daughter, he said, "Now I lay me down for the last
time: I am going to my Savior;" and he died immediately with a
smile on his face. [See MS 40 (1880):774.]

Source: David Whitmer, Address to All Believers In Christ
(Richmond: David Whitmer, 1887), p. 8.

I [David Whitmer] also testify to the world, that neither
Oliver Cowdery or Martin Harris ever at any time denied their
testimony. They both died reaffirming the truth of the divine
authenticity of the Book of Mormon. I was present at the death
bed of Oliver Cowdery, and his last words were, "Brother David,
be true to your testimony to the Book of Mormon." He died here
in Richmond, Mo., on March 3d, 1850. Many witnesses yet live in
Richmond, who will testify to the truth of these facts, as well
as to the good character of Oliver Cowdery.

Source: David Whitmer to E. R. Kelley, 3 Mar 1884, RLDS
Archives.

"Oliver Cowdery never to my [David Whitmer's] knowledge
denied any part of his testimony [as written in the Book of
Mormon]; on the contrary, as I have done protested against every
fabrication made by designing persons and parties . . . until
death which occurred in this place."

Dear Brother David:--I, Elizabeth Cowdery, wife of Oliver
Cowdery, do make the following statements: That my husband,
Oliver Cowdery, bore his testimony to the truth and divine
origin of the Book of Mormon, as one of the three witnesses of
the Book of Mormon; as to his standing on doctrine he stood
where he did when he preached the first sermon; that was
preached in the last days in the Church of Christ in 1829, when
the Bible and the Book of Mormon alone were the guide to the
faith of the church. From the hour when the glorious vision
of the Holy Messenger revealed to mortal eyes the hidden
prophecies which God had promised his faithful followers should
come forth in due time, until the moment when he passed away
from earth. He always without one doubt or shudder of turning
affirmed the divinity and truth of the Book of Mormon. "God's
promises never fail."

Oliver Cowdery's Final Testimony Reported by David Whitmer and
John C. Whitmer, Son of Jacob Whitmer

I was present at the deathbed of Oliver Cowdery in 1850 . .
. Oliver died the happiest man I ever saw . . . His last words
were, "Brother David, be true to your testimony to the Book of
Mormon, for we know that it is of God and that it is verily
true." After shaking hands with the family and kissing his wife
and daughter, he said, "Now I lay me down for the last time, I
am going to my Savior," and died immediately, with a smile on
his face. Many witnesses yet live in Richmond, who will testify
to the truth of these facts, as well as to the good character of
Oliver Cowdery. [See also Andrew Jenson, Edward Stevenson, and
Joseph B. Black, "Historical Landmarks," Deseret News (Salt Lake
City), 17 Sep 1888, p. 2; and David Whitmer to E. L. Kelley, 3
Mar 1884, Whitmer Papers, RLDS Church Archives.]

DAVID WHITMER AFFIRMS TESTIMONY OF OLIVER COWDERY, MAR 1884

Source: David Whitmer to E. R. Kelly, 3 Mar 1884, RLDS Archives.

Dear Sir:

. . . Oliver Cowdery never to my knowledge denied any
part of his testimony, on the contrary, as I have done,
protested against every fabrication made by designing persons
and parties and emphatically testified as written in the Book of
Mormon until death; which occurred in this place, his wife and
child yet living furnished one of the best pictures of a living
faith in what their father testified to before death as written
in the Book of Mormon.

JOHN WHITMER'S ACCOUNT OF TESTIMONY OF OLIVER COWDERY
AND OTHER WITNESSES TO THE BOOK OF MORMON, 1876

. . . . Oliver Cowdery lived in Richmond, Mo. [Missouri],
some 40 miles from here at the time of his death. I went to see
him and I was with him for some days previous to his demise.

I have never heard him deny the truth of his testimony of
the Book of Mormon under any circumstances what ever.

I have no knowledge that there was any effort made to force
him to deny the Book of Mormon. Neither do I believe that he
would have denied at the peril of his life, so firm was he that
he could not be moved to deny what he has affirmed to be a
divine revelation from God.

I desire to do good when it is in my power. I have never
heard that anyone of the three or eight witnesses ever denied
the testimony that they have borne to the book as published in
the first edition of the Book of Mormon.

There are only two of the witnesses to that book now living
to wit. David Whitmer one of the three and John Whitmer one of
the eight.

Our names have gone forth to all nations, tongues and
people as a divine revelation from God. And it will bring to
pass the designs of God according to the declaration therein
contained.